Join a dynamic conversation about the current – and future – state of American democracy at Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Thursday, October 17 at 8 p.m.

Three seasoned and outspoken political experts: E.J. Dionne, Heather McGhee, and Miles Rapoport will tackle the topic of “American Democracy a Year from 2020: Reeling or Resilient” from all angles, alongside Dean Richard Greenwald, PhD and Professor Philip Eliasoph, PhD of the Fairfield University College of Arts and Sciences.

Presented in affiliation with the Fairfield University College of Arts and Sciences’ Common Ground Lecture Series, this event marks the third Open VISIONS Forum (OVF) of the 2019-20 academic year. OVF is Fairfield University’s signature public affairs lecture series, widely regarded as an important catalyst for community-wide conversations about contemporary news topics and cultural trends.

All three guest panelists are frequently sought out by leading national media for their informed and authentic viewpoints on the American zeitgeist and the 2020 presidential elections:

E.J. Dionne is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a syndicated columnist for The Washington Post, a professor at Georgetown University, and the William Bloomberg Professor at Harvard University. He is co-author of One Nation After Trump: A Guide for the Perplexed, the Disillusioned, the Desperate, and the Not-Yet Deported.

Heather McGhee has emerged as one of the leading voices on racial healing and racial equity in the country. She has spent twelve years at the policy center Demos, serving as president from 2014 to 2018, and currently a distinguished senior fellow.

Miles Rapoport is the senior practice fellow in American Democracy at the Ash Center of the Harvard Kennedy School. He served as president of Demos for 13 years (prior to McGhee), and has been a strong advocate for democracy in Connecticut, both as a state legislator and as Secretary of State.

At a time of declining public trust – in the federal government and in fellow citizens, according to a July 2019 Pew Research Study – the conversation on October 17 will cover the current status of our political parties, predictions for the future, and insights into how Americans are truly feeling about our nation.

The Oct. 17 Open VISIONS Forum at 8 p.m., featuring E.J. Dionne, Heather McGhee, and Miles Rapoport, is generously sponsored by TVEyes, Artisan Restaurant, Delamar Southport, Delamar Spa, and Moffly Media. Tickets are $40 | $30 for Quick Center members. For more information or to reserve your seat, visit www.quickcenter.com or call the box office at 203-254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.